Things People With Diabetes Wish You Understood
Unpacking misconceptions, realities, and daily life with diabetes to foster empathy and awareness.
Diabetes is a complex, chronic condition affecting millions worldwide. While advances in treatment have improved management, myths and misunderstandings persist. For those living with diabetes, these misconceptions can shape their relationships, healthcare experiences, and daily life. This article explores key truths about diabetes, challenges those with the condition face, and what they wish others understood.
Understanding the Basics
- Diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all disease. There are different types, including Type 1, Type 2, Type 1.5 (LADA), and gestational diabetes.
- Insulin is essential for most people with diabetes, but needs, effectiveness, and regimens vary greatly.
- Diabetes management involves much more than just avoiding sugar – it requires constant monitoring, dietary adjustments, exercise, stress management, and, often, medications or insulin injections.
Myths and Misconceptions People with Diabetes Encounter
People with diabetes frequently encounter assumptions and judgments based on misinformation. These misconceptions can cause emotional distress and impact self-management. Here’s what individuals with diabetes want you to know:
The “Blame Game”: Diabetes Is Not Simply the Result of Poor Choices
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, not caused by lifestyle choices. Genetics and environmental factors play a role in onset.
- Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance influenced by genetics, ethnicity, metabolic health, and yes, lifestyle – but not exclusively.
- People with diabetes often face stigma implying their illness is “self-inflicted.” Such beliefs are scientifically unfounded and damaging.
Sugar: Not the Enemy You Think
- Many mistakenly think people with diabetes must avoid sugar entirely. Reality: It’s about balancing carbohydrate intake and insulin. Some with diabetes even use sugar as emergency treatment for low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
- Diabetes management is not synonymous with “never eating sweets.” Rather, it’s nuanced, considering blood sugar patterns, medications, and individual tolerance.
Not All Diabetes Is the Same
- There are different types and subtypes. For example, Type 1.5 (LADA) can be mistaken for Type 2 due to gradual onset, but it’s also autoimmune.
- Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy but can increase future type 2 risk for both mother and child.
The Mental Load: Diabetes Is 24/7
- Managing diabetes is a full-time commitment. People frequently track blood sugar, medicate, adjust meals, and plan for unanticipated fluctuations.
- There is never a day off. Even sleep, travel, illness, and stress can disrupt blood glucose and require vigilance.
Living With Diabetes: Everyday Challenges Often Unseen
What others are reading
The reality of life with diabetes is much more complex than most outsiders realize. It involves constant decision-making, invisible stressors, and a need for empathy from those around.
Technology Helps—But Doesn’t Fix Everything
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, and smart apps have revolutionized care but do not eliminate daily burdens.
- Tech failures, skin irritation, supply shortages, and insurance issues still persist.
Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia: Two Opposing Dangers
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can come on suddenly and severely—symptoms may include shakiness, confusion, sweating, or fainting.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) develops more gradually but can cause complications if persistent, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or long-term organ damage.
The “Hidden” Aspects: Mental Health, Emotional Toll, and Fatigue
- Anxiety about blood sugar swings, long-term complications, and keeping up with doctor appointments is common.
- Diabetes burnout can occur, making self-care feel overwhelming.
- Support and understanding from others can ease the emotional toll.
What People With Diabetes Wish You’d Do (and Not Do)
- Don’t judge food choices: Instead of commenting on what someone is eating, respect their decisions. They know best how their body responds.
- Avoid giving unsolicited advice: Diabetes is individualized, and treatment varies for each person.
- Offer support, not scrutiny: A simple question like “Is there anything I can do to help?” can mean more than blanket advice.
- Be mindful of language: Terms like “diabetic” can feel reducing. People prefer “person with diabetes.”
Understanding Medical Devices
- Visible devices like insulin pumps, CGMs, or syringes may attract attention or questions. People living with diabetes appreciate privacy and sensitivity.
- Ask respectfully if you’re curious—don’t stare or judge.
Managing Diabetes: The Daily Realities
Daily management is a balancing act involving many factors:
- Blood glucose monitoring: Frequent checks to maintain safe ranges.
- Medication/insulin administration: Timing and dosing are crucial, sometimes requiring injections several times a day.
- Meal planning: Considering carbohydrate content, timing, and nutritional value.
- Physical activity: Can cause unpredictable changes in glucose levels and sometimes requires extra planning.
- Stress management: Psychological stress can raise blood glucose, complicating control.
Table: Common Myths vs. Realities About Diabetes
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Only overweight people get diabetes. | Type 1 has no link to weight; Type 2 occurs in people of all weights. |
| People with diabetes must avoid all sugar. | Carbs are tracked, but small amounts of sugar are allowed and sometimes needed. |
| Diabetes is caused by eating sweets. | Type 1 is autoimmune; Type 2 is multifactorial, with many causes beyond diet. |
| Diabetes is easy to manage now because of technology. | Tech helps, but management is still complex and stressful. |
| People with diabetes are “sick.” | With proper care, people can live healthy, active lives. |
What Empathy and Real Support Look Like
- Listen without judgment; your friend with diabetes may not want advice, just understanding.
- Learn more about diabetes. Ask questions respectfully if you’re unsure.
- Respect privacy regarding medical information and treatment regimens.
- Include people with diabetes in group activities and events without making their condition a focal point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can people with diabetes ever eat sugar or dessert?
A: Yes, people with diabetes can include sweets in their diet if they plan carefully. Monitoring carbohydrate intake, insulin dosage, and individual tolerance is key. Sweets are sometimes used to treat low blood sugar events.
Q: Is diabetes always caused by eating too much sugar?
A: No. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune attack on the pancreas, and Type 2 diabetes arises from genetic, metabolic, and sometimes lifestyle factors—not just diet.
Q: Is diabetes reversible?
A: Type 1 diabetes is not reversible. Some cases of Type 2 diabetes can be managed into remission with lifestyle changes, weight loss, and medications, but lifelong monitoring is still necessary.
Q: Does technology make diabetes easy to manage?
A: Technology like CGMs and insulin pumps can make management more efficient, but it does not make it easy. The condition remains complex, with psychological and logistical challenges.
Q: What is diabetes burnout?
A: Diabetes burnout describes feelings of overwhelm, frustration, or fatigue related to constant self-care demands. It’s a recognized challenge that can affect mental health and diabetes management.
Final Thoughts: Support and Advocacy Matter
Diabetes is a manageable but relentless condition that affects every aspect of life. Understanding the nuances, challenges, and realities people with diabetes face fosters empathy and support. Whether you are a friend, family member, coworker, or healthcare provider, your awareness and kindness can make a significant difference in the lives of those managing diabetes every day.
References
- https://www.healthlinejournal.org/ojs/healthline/about/submissions
- https://www.healthlinejournal.org/journal_data/instructions_for_authors
- https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes
- https://www.healthline.com/health/difference-between-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317484
- https://www.healthline.com/health/video/diabetes-nutrition-101
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317483
- https://www.healthline.com/health/video/type-2-diabetes
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10664734/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
